Thanksgiving & Praise: Our Best Weapons

By: Carolyn Johnson, Director Emeritus, Restored Marriage

I’ve been thinking about all the things each of us has, for which we should be thankful. It is always amazing to me that, when a group of people are asked why they are thankful, the room fills with silence. May this never happen to our CK family!  There are hundreds of reasons why each of us should continually be in a posture to give Jesus our praise. Even if you do not have a thankful heart, you can choose to rejoice in all that Jesus has done for you. Think of praise as an offensive weapon that should be used to vanquish the evil one from your life and the lives of your family. Yes, you can praise your way into a restored marriage.

I don’t know about you, but on Thanksgiving Day our friends and family will not be eating manna. I’m thankful for that because turkey and pumpkin pie are definitely tastier than manna! I’m thankful that we all have friends and family in our lives, most of whom have thankful hearts as well. For those who don’t, we have the privilege of praying for them.

I’m thankful that Rex and I have a restored marriage; however, even before that, I was thankful that God chose me to stand in faith. He entrusted me with the truth of marriage covenant and restored my heart. Keeping covenant is a difficult road to walk, but what an awesome privilege to have the Lord’s Word live so big in me that it overflowed into this world proclaiming that my Jesus was a big enough to bring healing to our family.

I’m thankful that I live in a nation that was founded on Christian values where I am free to worship Jesus anywhere and at anytime. I am thankful that we have governmental leaders who support and allow me to worship freely. America is not a perfect nation, but it is a nation where I would choose to live over any other place on earth.

I am thankful for our farmers and ranchers who supply the food that eventually arrives at a grocery store near me. I didn’t have to kill a buffalo or quail or plant any corn or sweet potatoes to have a feast for Thanksgiving. Each one of us will eat until we are satisfied. God has provided in abundance and I will give thanks before my meal because that is the way every feast should begin. Luke 15:11-32 tells the story of a household that feasted when a prodigal son returned home after living a selfish life. His father killed the prized calf and they celebrated with food and a party. The household joined the festivities. When a prodigal chooses to return home and be restored to Jesus and his/her family, we should be thankful and celebrate. Restoration and forgiveness are great reasons to praise Jesus.

Then we are told in Isaiah 25:6-8 (AMP) of a feast that is yet to come:
“But here on this mountain, God-of-the-Angel-Armies will throw a feast for all the people of the world, a feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines, a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts. And here on this mountain, God will banish the pall of doom hanging over all peoples, the shadow of doom darkening all nations. Yes, He’ll banish death forever. And God will wipe the tears from every face. He’ll remove every sign of disgrace From His people, wherever they are. For the Lord has spoken!”

We thank Him because for all that He has already done in our lives. We also thank Him now for those things that are in our future. Our God is good. He will even banish death. We have so much to look forward to – so much to recall. As you enjoy a Thanksgiving feast this week, pause to share the many reasons for your gratitude with those people around your table. Your CK family is praying that this will be your best Thanksgiving ever.